The Hornets have lost eight straight (in a heartbreaking way on Monday) and it looks like they will be without Eric Gordon for at least three more weeks due to his bruised knee, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo. Gordon had more tests done Monday by a specialist in New York and the report is that his knee is “structurally sound” but needs about in three weeks more rest, then he can resume basketball activities.

But that’s not the most interesting thing Gordon told Yahoo.

The Hornets can extend Gordon’s rookie contract, something that needs to be done by Wednesday to meet the deadline. But the entire situation is out of the hands of Gordon or even the Hornets GM. Here is what Gordon told Yahoo.

Gordon’s agent, Rob Pelinka, has engaged in recent contract talks with the Hornets’ front office, but hasn’t received an official offer. Gordon told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night he was informed by Hornets general manager Dell Demps that Stern must decide whether to extend an offer….

“In terms of my contract extension, Dell Demps indicated that it’s out of his control and NBA commissioner David Stern has the last determination on the contract extension,” said Gordon, who will be a restricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension.

Remember that the league owns the Hornets right now as it tries to find a buyer to keep the team in the city. A process that is not exactly moving rapidly. In the mean time David Stern the defacto owner.

The only reason Eric Gordon is a Hornet in the first place is that Stern the owner shot down a trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers as part of a three-team deal. (Stern just did that for the welfare of the franchise, don’t think it was because owners complained. No. Not at all. Wouldn’t happen.) Instead he struck a deal with the Clippers that brought Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s first-round pick this year to the Hornets.

Stern may decide to let the market set the price for Gordon (let him become a restricted free agent where the Hornets can match any offer). He is not a max player (ala Derrick Rose) but in a few years he may be as good as any shooting guard in the league. The Hornets want to keep him, but there will be demand for him on the market that could make him an expensive proposition for New Orleans. It’s a risk.

It is also possible the two sides could find a sane middle ground, but do you really expect that to happen? Me neither.